Danette Mitchell: It should have been an African American woman to counter Trump’s address

By Danette Mitchell

Sunday, February 4, 2018

President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and the American people amid a deeply divided nation, the #MeTooMovement that included his indiscretions, the Russia investigation and other alleged conspiracies against his administration, and with the lowest approval rating of any president during the first year in office.

At the State of the Union Address, Democrats wore black to show their displeasure and solidarity with the #MeTooMovement. Some also wore buttons bearing the name of Recy Taylor whose rape case made national headlines in 1944 owing to the efforts of activist Rosa Parks.

Congressional Black Caucus members wore African Kente cloth sashes or ties in solidary with the Africa continent that was recently referenced by Trump as “s---hole countries.” Other Democrats chose not to attend.

Some of what Trump said in his speech like repairing our infrastructure, providing workforce and job training programs, reducing the cost of prescription drugs, cutting taxes and working toward a thriving economy is what most Americans want. However, he made statements that were either false or mostly false and exaggerated other points in his speech.

Sure, many of us will occasionally cut a president some slack when some facts are exaggerated. However, with Trump, false statements are made almost daily, and he is a president whose credibility has always been in question.

He took credit for the lowest level unemployment rate in history for Hispanic and African Americans when in fact we had seen this trend under the Obama administration. He used his guests and their heartfelt stories to push an agenda of fear-mongering and divisiveness further distracting from the core issues and proving that he is not a president of all Americans.

As he basked in the applause of Republicans, who at one point started chanting “USA,” Trump attempted to portray himself as a unifier. Yet many Americans still describe him as a bigot, a sexist, a bully, an egotistical, disrespectful, and dishonest man. He continues to be at odds with anyone who disagrees with him. Indeed, his State of the Union Address required a strong official response.

Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Mass, grandson of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy was assigned the task. Many Democrats believe that Kennedy is a rising political star and wants to support his goals, continuing the Kennedy legacy. This is understandable. Kennedy delivered a good speech. He noted a “justice department rolling back civil rights, hatred and supremacy proudly marching in our streets,” and “bullets tearing through our classrooms, concerts and congregations.” However, I believe Democrats missed an opportunity to continue riding the wave of success that has been started primarily by African American women when they did not choose a Black woman instead to give the response.

Democrats also missed an opportunity to send a powerful message to their biggest loyal voting blot especially when the numbers are pitiful for women in both parties giving the response after a State of the Union Address.

Rep. Patsy Mink was the first woman of color and Asian American to give the response for the Democratic Party after former President Richard Nixon’s speech. However, no African American woman has ever been afforded the opportunity since the practice started in 1966.

Black women have proven that they are vital to the Democratic Party. They have shown that they can win elected positions, organize grassroots movements to help others win, and run campaigns that touch the hearts of the community and their issues of concern.

Black women have also attracted young people and millennials to the political process. Moreover, Black women are committed and ambitious and have teamed with others to develop policies that transform communities. They have remained in the struggle amid gender and race issues and sometimes rejection.

I believe an African American woman in Congress would have given the response with more boldness, passion and courage given the many issues that are affecting women, immigrants, people of color and those who are not experiencing much of the progress that Trump boasted about in his speech.

Trump is a clever man and his administration continues to support him even through the most controversial decisions. To fight him will require smart tactics and the Democratic Party understanding that African American women will no longer be taken for granted. They will take their most valuable asset — their votes and use that power strategically if it means forming an independent party.

The author is a social issues advocate, writer and a Vacaville resident. E-mail: damitchell@earthlink.net.